From Ronald L.

Darts Program Notes

The Survival of Jerusalem
August 15, 2014
Volume 19, Number 8
Christian Educational Ministries
Is the Middle East a real enigma to
you? There seems to be no logic
there. Throughout history, war after
war has been fought over
Jerusalem. If someone recounted
them for us, wed all be astonished
at the blood that has been shed, the
thousands of lives lost. Perhaps
millions of lost lives cover that
city. When one visits Jerusalem he
sees no beauty there, and that is
disappointing to visitors after all
they have heard and read about the
place. A visitor may see nothing
there for which a single drop of
human blood is worth shedding.
One can understand the longing
of the Jewish people for Jerusalem.
Its a longing for home. A longing of
a people long displaced who have
only one center on the planet, and
thats Jerusalem. Its easy to
understand the longing of Christians
to go there because thats where our
Lord suffered and died for us and it
makes it more real to us somehow.
But what on earth did the Egyptians,
the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the
Greeks, the Romans, and the Turks
see in Jerusalem that made it worth
fighting over?
Then there are the Muslims.
With all the land they possess in the
world, with all the oil, with all the
wealth, why do they want that land?
Why do they have to have that
place? And why do they want to
destroy the Israelis? Jerusalem is
supposed to be a holy place for
Muslims as well, but we strongly
suspect that is a carefully crafted
lie. The legend that Mohammed
ascended into heaven from the rock
on the Temple Mount served two
purposes: 1) it co-opted the Temple
Mount from the Jews and made it
impossible for the Muslims to go
there and build another temple; 2) it
established an equivalency with
Christianity that had Christ
ascending from the Mount of
Olives. They seem to be saying,
were as good as you are. Our
prophet also ascended into heaven
from Jerusalem, and we have our
temple on the Temple Mount.
Probably the historical motivation
of Muslims concerning Jerusalem
was jealousy of two older and
better religions.
Theres a prophecy in the Book
of Zechariah that serves to illustrate
the future of Jerusalem. We cant
say this is a prophecy of Jerusalem
today, but we do know that many
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Survival of Jerusalem
From Ronald L. Darts notes ........ 1
Why Are You So Blessed? .............. 1
2014 Feast of Tabernacles
YEA Lessons Available .............. 2
Feast of Tabernacles Events
and Activities.......................... 2
continued on page 3 . . .
Why Are You So Blessed? . . .
According to the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability, 100
million Christians in over 60 countries are persecuted for their faith.
Christians in Iraq are being told they must convert to Islam by Saturday
or they will be killed. How blessed we are that we can still worship
God as we see fit without fear of government reprisal. Its such a
blessing to be able to study your Bible, keep the Sabbath holy, attend
Sabbath Services in peace, and give to the church and charities of your
choice. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Never take this
blessing for granted. Build your eternal reward while you can. You
cant take it with you. Our world is changing rapidly. No one knows
how long well have these blessings. So do your good deeds and
service to God now while they can still reach more and more people
with the truths of the Gospel.
page 2
2014 Feast of Tabernacles YEA Lessons Available
As CEM usually does, were
making the special YEA Feast of
Tabernacles full-color lesson books
available to every Feast site or
parent that loves their kids enough
to want them to make it into Gods
Kingdom. These interactive, age
appropriate lessons are available
for five age groups. They will save
teachers so much time and bring
eager kids back daily to learn more
about Gods way. Each year these
lessons are revised and brought up
to date. Our program is designed so
a child should never be taught a
YEA lesson twice. Special bonuses
that come with your order are
lessons for the younger kids to do
on the Sabbath and Holy Days. The
oldest teen books are written in a
seminar format.
Lesson
Age Level Title
3-5 Beginners All Aboard
6-8 Primaries Ready for
Take Off
9-11 Juniors Be A Winner
12-15 Intermediates Zero In
16-19 Senior Teens Plan It On
Planet Earth
YEA lessons are designed to teach
specific life lessons to improve
The 2014 CEM Feast, October 9th
through October 16th, will be held
here in Tyler, Texas. There is so
much to do in this area and here are
some of the activities we plan to
schedule group events for:
American Freedom Museum
The American Freedom Museum
illuminates the American experience
during crucial moments in our
nations history. From the hills and
valleys of the American Revolution
to the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan,
you will step into history and
discover the journey of those in our
nations military who have
courageously and heroically
sacrificed to ensure the many
freedoms that we enjoy today. The
mission isto: HonorAmerican
veterans and military personnel for
the sacrifices they have made for our
freedoms; Educate this and future
generations about our rich heritage;
and Inspire others to achieve
greatness. Thisis Americas story.
behavior and to understand the
meaning of Gods Feast of
Tabernacles. There are five lessons
in each book and they include daily
devotionals to reinforce each
lesson. Parent Teacher Guides are
available for each lesson book as
well and are necessary for teaching
the lessons with ease and
effectiveness. Call CEM at 1-888-
BIBLE-44 to get our discounted
prices for bulk orders. CEM must
receive all orders by September
8th. That is our cut-off date for
printing so you will have them for
the Feast.
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge
The Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge is
the international home to over 50
rescued big cats. Come meet these
majestic animals, learn about the
feline species known as Panthera
Tigris and find out how you can help
to ensure their future in the United
States and worldwide. Tiger Creek
was started for the very specific
purpose: To provide rescue and
rehabilitation of big cats that have
been abused, neglected or
displaced. It continues to be the
guiding mission, and as they continue
to expand, they are working to
establish large natural settings for the
big cats.
Brookshires World of Wildlife
Museum and Country Store
The Brookshire (grocery store)
family museum started in 1975 and
features 450 stuffed and mounted
animals in wildlife and aquatic
scenes from Africa and North
Americatons of lions, tigers,
bears, sharks, wild boars, monkeys,
swordfish, and much more mounted
to view. For people who love
history there is an old style
reproduction grocery store and
memorabilia including antique
trucks. There is also a cute little
candy store and an awesome
playground. It is a fun stop for the
entire family.
East Texas Oil Museum
The East Texas Oil Museum is
located on the campus of Kilgore
College in Kilgore, Texas. This
fascinating museum houses the
authentic re-creation of oil discovery
and production in the early 1930s
from the largest oil field inside U.S.
boundaries. Here, visitors see the
people, their towns, their personal
habits, their tools and their pastimes
all colorfully depicted in
dioramas, movies, sound presenta-
tions and actual antiques donated by
East Texas citizens. It is full of
Texas Pride and oilfield realism.
Feast of Tabernacles Events and Activities
continued on page 4 . . .
page 3
The Survival of Jerusalem
continued from page 1 . . .
scholars see it solely in historical
terms. What we can say is that the
prophecy applies in principle, and
that it is set in what sounds a lot
like the speak of the last days.
Heres what the prophecy says:
The burden of the word of the
LORD for Israel, saith the LORD,
which stretcheth forth the heavens,
and layeth the foundation of the
earth, and formeth the spirit of man
within him. Behold, I will make
Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto
all the people round about, when
they shall be in the siege both
against Judah and against
Jerusalem. And in that day will I
make Jerusalem a burdensome stone
for all people: all that burden
themselves with it shall be cut in
pieces, though all the people of the
earth be gathered together against
it (Zechariah 12:1-3). When the
Bible uses the word a cup in this
way, its about a cup of wine or
strong drink, something you can get
drunk on. . . . I make Jerusalem a
burdensome stone for all people: all
that burden themselves with it shall
be cut in pieces. . . Its striking
how many times in history that has
been true. What has never been
quite true is that theres never been
a day when . . . all the people of
the earth be gathered together
against [Jerusalem]. But the King
James Version doesnt require that;
it says, Although all the people of
the earth be gathered. . . and thats
probably correct.
The Darts had been to Jerusalem
and lived in England prior to the
Six-Day War in 1967. Here are
some of Mr. Darts recollections.
I remember following it very
carefully. I have little doubt that the
Syrians, Jordanians, and Egyptians
thought they were going to crush
Israel like a bug. They had the
powerthey all had an air force,
they all had tanks, they had big
armies. They had everything they
needed, and poor little Israel had. . .
not that much. Those three countries
were sent reeling back into their
own land. It was one of the most
remarkable military events in
history and I recall all of us staring
in amazement when it happened. It
was miraculous. And the whole
thing was totally unnecessary. What
it did was give Israel still more
land and it helped create the
situation we have today.
One wonders if this vision of
Zechariahs lay at the roots of
Johns vision of the last days. In
Johns vision you have a sequence
of events. If you read through the
Book of Revelation carefully, youll
spot this. It starts off with a scroll
sealed with seven seals and each of
these seals is opened in order.
When the seventh seal is opened,
seven angels come out with seven
trumpets which theyre going to
blow. So the seventh seal is
comprised of seven trumpets. When
the last trumpet is blown, it ushers
in seven vials of Gods wrath. So
the seventh is divided into seven,
and the seventh of that seven is
divided into seven again, and
finally we come down to the sixth
angel of those seven vials of Gods
wrath in Revelation 16:12: And
the sixth angel poured out his vial
upon the great river Euphrates; and
the water thereof was dried up, that
the way of the kings of the East
might be prepared.
Who knows how long this has
been true, but today its hard not to
see the armies of Islam in this
vision. The River Euphrates flows
right through Baghdad in Iraq. The
drying up of the River Euphrates,
symbolically, is to open the way for
the kings of the East, for the whole
massed armies of Islam to come
west. And I saw three unclean
spirits like frogs come out of the
mouth of the dragon, and out of the
mouth of the beast, and out of the
mouth of the false prophet. For they
are the spirits of devils, working
miracles, which go forth unto the
kings of the earth and of the whole
world, to gather them to the battle of
that great day of God Almighty (vv.
13-14).
People call the battle that was
about to take place The Battle of
Armageddon. Armageddon has
come into our language as the last
great battle of all mankind. But
thats not the name of it. The name
of it is the Battle of the Great Day
of God Almighty. Behold, I come
as a thief. Blessed is he that
watcheth, and keepeth his garments,
lest he walk naked, and they see his
shame. And he gathered them
together into a place called in the
Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Its
the Valley of Megiddo. In fact, if
you go to Israel and go up on Mount
Carmel, you can look down over the
Valley of Megiddo, the place where
these armies were to assemble.
History has a way of repeating
itself. Isaiah tells us so. In the 41st
chapter hes actually challenging the
false gods and false prophets.
Produce your cause, saith the
LORD; bring forth your strong
reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let
them bring them forth, and show us
what shall happen. . . (Isaiah
41:21-22). Thats what we all want,
isnt it? Especially at a time like
continued on page 4 . . .
page 4
The Survival of Jerusalem
continued from page 3 . . .
this when Israel is fighting Gaza, we
all want to know whats going to
happen in the Middle East. . . . Let
them show the former things, what
they be, that we may consider them,
and know the latter end of them. . .
Were told, categorically, that
former things that happened in the
Middle East are a help to us in
understanding the latter. Isaiah says,
. . . or declare us things for to
come. Show the things that are to
come hereafter, that we may know
that ye are gods. . . If you follow
this back into biblical history, you
will find a fascinating prophecy that
connects to it. Isaiah 10:22-25 says,
For though thy people Israel be as
the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of
them shall return: The consumption
decreed shall overflow with
righteousness. For the LORD GOD
of hosts shall make a consumption,
even determined, in the midst of all
the land. Therefore thus saith the
LORD GOD of hosts, O my people
that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid
of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee
with a rod, and shall lift up his staff
against thee, after the manner of
Egypt. For yet a very little while,
and the indignation shall cease, and
mine anger in their destruction.
Assyria did take Samaria and the
house of Israel captive, but did not
take Judah. And the LORD of hosts
shall stir up a scourge for him
according to the slaughter of Midian
at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod
was upon the sea, so shall he lift it
up after the manner of Egypt. And it
shall come to pass in that day, that
his burden shall be taken away from
off thy shoulder, and his yoke from
off thy neck, and the yoke shall be
destroyed because of the anointing.
What follows in the tenth chapter
of Isaiah is very interesting. A list
of towns follow. If you have an
atlas, look up all the cities listed in
verses 28, 29 and 30. Notice:
following them village by village,
you will see how they got down to a
place called Nob. Nob is within
sight of Jerusalem. Verses 32-34
say, As yet shall he remain at Nob
that day: he shall shake his hand
against the mount of the daughter of
Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. Behold,
the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall
lop the bough with terror: and the
high ones of stature shall be hewn
down, and the haughty shall be
humbled. And he shall cut down the
thickets of the forest with iron, and
Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
Time and again throughout history,
Lebanon has gotten caught in the
crossfire between those trying to
destroy Jerusalem, only to find
herself destroyed. This echoes what
John saw at the gathering at
Armageddon, when armies moved
south from Armageddon toward
Jerusalem and died before they got
there. This continues in Zechariah.
But space does not permit going
there.
Please read the 12th chapter for
yourself. We dont know how much
time we have left. But there has
never been a time in history when
we have needed more to pull up our
spiritual socks. Be always on the
watch, and pray, that you may be
able to escape all that is about to
happen, and that you may be able to
stand before the Son of Man (Luke
21:36 NIV Study Bible).
With the horrible bloodshed and
fighting going on between the nation
of Israel and Gaza, even as this is
written, it makes one wonder where it
will end. These are perilous times and
you have never needed to be
informed more than now. And
youve never needed to get your
Christian life in order more than
now. You need this CD titled The
Survival of Jerusalem. Its FREE.
Just call and order it today, or
return the enclosed card.
PO Box 560
Whitehouse, Texas 75791
phone: 1-888-BIBLE-44
fax: 903-839-9311
e-mail: adm@borntowin.net
website: www.borntowin.net
That the man of God may be proficient
and equipped for every good work.
Christian Educational
Ministries
Feast of Tabernacles Events and Activities
continued from page 2 . . .
Tyler Rose Garden and
The Caldwell Zoo
Great places to visit and take your
kids and grandkids. The Feast of
Tabernacles will overlap the annual
Tyler Rose Festival.
We want to know if there are
fishermen and fisherwomen out there
who would be interested in a fresh
water fishing tournament during the
Feast. We will also have the usual
golf tournament this year. Call Linda
Benton, 1-888-242-5344, to sign up
or for more information. Check out
the Activity schedule in this Living
to Win mailing.